GP2: Hilmer disputes Regalia's accusations

GP2 team Hilmer Motorsport has hit back at its driver Facu Regalia's claims that he has quit the team due to its lack of competitiveness and reliability.

The 2013 GP3 runner-up criticised his team earlier this week as he announced that he would not be racing for Hilmer from this weekend's Silverstone round onward. However, Hilmer has disputed the Argentinean's side of the story, and insists that he has a contract to the end of the season that he has to honor.

A statement from the team said: "The reasons and allegations of Facu Regalia for his desired departure that he stated do not comply with the real circumstances and are not substantial from the point of view of Hilmer Motorsport.

"Regalia has always been given a competitive car. In rating the results of the season so far, it also has to be taken into account that in three out of four main races the driver wasn't able to finish because of driving mistakes. The reasons for these retirements are neither the fault of the team or technical problems."

Hilmer also disputed claims from the 22-year-old about its engines lacking performance, describing them as "baseless accusations" before declaring that his contract is now subject to legal action.

"We would like to point out that Facu Regalia has got a contract with Hilmer Motorsport until the end of the season and that this will be complied with. We kindly ask for your understanding on this situation due to legal proceedings."

Hilmer, which won four races in its rookie GP2 campaign last year and has an assocation with the Force India Formula 1 team, is one of two teams yet to score a point in GP2 this year. It has announced that British driver Jon Lancaster, one of its 2013 line-up, will return to the team in place of Regalia at Silverstone this weekend.